Market Update

Brazil Bucks Latin Decline

123jump.com Staff
22 Mar, 2006
New York City

Latin markets were no exception to the sell-off in the emerging markets across the world. Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico and Chile lost 0.9%, 0.45%, 0.66% and 0.22% respectively near close. Brazil managed to buck the trend and traded as high as 0.8% up for the day. Large caps were under pressure in Mexico but gained in Brazil. Emerging markets around the world faced a sharp correction led by markets in Asia.

Metals Trade Near Peak

123jump.com Staff
22 Mar, 2006
New York City

Metals have enjoyed booming market on the back Chinese demand for copper and zinc and Indian and Middle Eastern demands for gold and silver. The price of silver crossed 22-year peak during yesterday trading on strong volume on the news of an approval of silver ETF by Barclays. Copper inventories are low but are rising and metal may face price correction that traders have been predicting for six months.

European Markets Gain

123jump.com Staff
22 Mar, 2006
Frankfurt

U.K. stocks rose modelstly on the news that retailer GUS rejected an offer for its credit rating agency, Imperial Chemical may get a bid from DuPont and media company ITV after rejecting an offer from U.S. based private equity partners. The stocks in France and Germany on the upswing. European stocks have seen the sustained positive gains for ten days, longest in last five years.

Morgan Stanley Profit up 17%

Elena
22 Mar, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks opened mixed. The Nasdaq declined on weak tech stocks, following news that Microsoft will delay the release of its operating system, raising concerns that this will negatively affect computer makers. The Dow gained after Morgan Stanley reported 17% earnings rise for Q1 on record revenues, beating expectations. General Motors also provided support, rising 2.6% on agreement with Delphi and UAW. FedEx reported Q3 net income rise of 35% on 9% revenue growth, beating analyst estimates.

FedEx Beats Forecast

Elena
22 Mar, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks opened mixed. The Nasdaq declined on weak tech stocks, following news that Microsoft will delay the release of its Vista operating system, raising concerns that this will negatively affect computer makers like Apple, Hewlett-Packard, Dell. The Dow gained after Morgan Stanley reported 17% earnings rise for Q1 on record revenues, beating expectations. General Motors also provided support, rising 2.6% on agreement with Delphi and UAW.

Techs Weaken on Microsoft

Elena
22 Mar, 2006
New York City

Tech futures declined on news that Microsoft will delay the release of its Vista operating system, sending shares of memory chip and computer makers down. In earnings news, Morgan Stanley reported earnings rise for Q1 of $1.54 per share on revenues of $8.48 billion, beating expectations. Apparel retailer Nike posted 19% profit increase in Q3 on sales growth, beating estimates.

India Corrects with Asia

Elena
22 Mar, 2006
New York City

Indian market managed to gain another 1,000 points in less than 30 days of trading on strong fund flows from domestic investors. International investors have been cautious as index scaled new high for the last six days in a row.

Pharma Stocks Gain in Europe

Elena
22 Mar, 2006
Frankfurt

European averages traded mostly in the red, dragged by interest-rate concerns. However, pharmaceutical, media and auto stocks limited the downward trend. The German DAX 30 fell 0.2%, the French CAC 40 dropped 0.4%, while London FTSE 100 edged up 0.02%.

Asia Posts Heavy Losses

Elena
22 Mar, 2006
New York City

Asian-Pacific markets sharply dropped Wednesday on continuous interest-rate concerns and weakness in the tech sector after Microsoft announced a delay of its operating system. South Korean Kospi tumbled 2%, dragged by tech stocks, Hong Kong slipped 1.8%, followed by Taiwan Weighted index, down 1%. The Nikkei lost 0.8% with losses limited by Nippon Steel. Australia was one of the very few gainers, up 0.4%.

Markets Lacked Direction

123jump.com Staff
21 Mar, 2006
New York City

Broader markets traded up, down and clsoed down. Market traded in a lackluster fashion with most sectors trading lower except energy and chip sectors. Wholesale inflation report kept averages under check. Chicago Board of Trade and China Life traded higher on close to three times than average daily volume. Philippines closed at seven year high and India reached a new intra-day close. Brazil closed 2.11% lower and Venezuela closed unchanged after rising 44% year-to-date.

Brazil Down 2%

123jump.com Staff
21 Mar, 2006
New York City

Scandals are never too far from political parties and Brazil is no exception. Sao Paolo market has been riding high for two years on rising commodity prices and exports. Market in Sao Paolo was up 10% at the end of last week. Third bests perfoming market in Latin America after Venezuela and Argentina.

Asian Markets Rest

123jump.com Staff
21 Mar, 2006
New York City

Talk of rising interest rates finally reached Asian markets and in particluar index in Hong Kong traded weak. Emerging markets in Asia were in sell mode led by Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore. Sensex in India briefly rose above 11,000 for the first time but lost 0.33% at close.

European Stocks Off Lows

Elena
21 Mar, 2006
Frankfurt

European markets rebounded from early losses to finish mixed. The German DAX 30 gained 0.1%, the French CAC 40 advanced 0.2%, and London FTSE 100 fell 0.1%. Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus Group jumped 7% on news the company is in merger talks with Russian steel producer Evraz Group.

Intel Rebounds

Elena
21 Mar, 2006
New York City

Oil prices recovery boosted the energy sector and helped stocks rebound from intra-day lows. The Dow rose 14 points, while the Nasdaq was up around 2 points. Renewed buying interest in the semiconductor sector also provided support. The best Dow performer was General Motors, rising 4.7%, followed by Intel, up 2.4%. Alcoa and American International Group were the most notable losers.

Tech Stocks Under Pressure

Elena
21 Mar, 2006
New York City

Stocks extended losses, despite mild selling pressure. The Nasdaq set a new low, falling 0.4% and the Dow hovered near the flat line. Tech stocks declined on earnings report from Oracle Corp. Housing stocks were also weak. The airline sector reached a record high for the year on lower energy prices. The best morning performer was Healthways, rising 17% on raised full-year outlook.